Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Brown

Stephen C. Brown has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9910336
    Abstract: This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g, channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Parker, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Trevor Frank, Travis D. Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
  • Publication number: 20180039149
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Gordon Jack, Sridhar K. Kailasam, Stephen C. Brown, Anshu A. Pradhan
  • Patent number: 9885935
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Jack, Sridhar K. Kailasam, Stephen C. Brown, Anshu A. Pradhan
  • Publication number: 20170269451
    Abstract: Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Anshu A. Pradhan, Stephen C. Brown, David Walter Groechel, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Publication number: 20170250163
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Travis Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
  • Publication number: 20170219908
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Mark A. Collins, Travis D. Wilbur, Alexander Rumer, Dennis Mullins
  • Patent number: 9690162
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
  • Publication number: 20170168368
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Anshu A. Pradhan, Deepika Khowal, Namrata Vora
  • Patent number: 9671665
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Mark A. Collins, Travis D. Wilbur
  • Patent number: 9645465
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Anshu A. Pradhan, Deepika Khowal, Namrata Vora
  • Patent number: 9638978
    Abstract: A method of controlling tint of a tintable window to account for occupant comfort in a room of a building. The tintable window is between the interior and exterior of the building. The method predicts a tint level for the tintable window at a future time based on a penetration depth of direct sunlight through the tintable window into the room at the future time and space type in the room. The method also provides instructions over a network to transition tint of the tintable window to the tint level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Deepika Khowal, Namrata Vora, Santosh V. Phillip
  • Publication number: 20170097553
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage. In some cases, feedback may be used to monitor an optical transition. In these or other cases, a group of optically switchable devices may transition together over a particular duration to achieve approximately uniform tint states over time during the transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Gordon Jack, Sridhar K. Kailasam, Stephen C. Brown, Anshu A. Pradhan
  • Publication number: 20170097259
    Abstract: Various implementations relate generally to a multi-sensor device. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device including a ring of radially-oriented photosensors. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device that is orientation-independent with respect to a central axis of the ring. Some implementations of the multi-sensor devices described herein also include one or more additional sensors. For example, some implementations include an axially-directed photosensor. Some implementations also can include one or more temperature sensors configured to sense an exterior temperature, for example, an ambient temperature of an outdoors environment around the multi-sensor. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations can include a temperature sensor configured to sense an interior temperature within the multi-sensor device. Particular implementations provide, characterize, or enable a compact form factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: STEPHEN C. BROWN, Dhairya Shrivastava, Jason Zedlitz, Trevor Frank, Jenny Wang, Brian McGonigle, Alex Rumer, Dennis Mullins
  • Publication number: 20170082903
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to power distribution networks for optically switchable windows. A number of different topologies are provided. In many embodiments, a control panel may be connected with a trunk line, which is connected to a plurality of optically switchable windows. The plurality of optically switchable windows may be powered by the shared trunk line. This topology provides substantial improvements over topologies in which each optically switchable window is connected to the control panel via separate, individual lines. Further, certain embodiments herein relate to installation kits for installing power distribution networks for optically switchable windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Jose Vigano, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Kevin Kazuo Kaneshiro
  • Publication number: 20170075323
    Abstract: A site monitoring system may analyze information from sites to determine when a device, a sensor, a controller, or other structure associated with optically switchable devices has a problem. The system may, if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the system learns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meet the customer's goals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Stephen C. Brown, Vijay Mani
  • Publication number: 20170058018
    Abstract: A process for synthesizing and separating secretory IgA from a mixture of IgA monmer and IgA dimer is provided. The process includes covalently binding affinity tagged or epitope tagged recombinant secretory component to the IgA dimer in the mixture and binding the affinity tagged or an epitope tagged secretory IgA to immobilized moieties on the solid phase support resin to which the affinity tag or epitope tag binds and then eluting the affinity tagged or an epitope tagged secretory IgA with release buffer. A process for synthesizing and separating secretory IgM from a mixture of IgM and other plasma proteins is also provided. The process includes covalently binding affinity tagged or an epitope tagged recombinant secretory component to the IgM in the mixture and binding the affinity tagged or an epitope tagged secretory IgM to immobilized moieties on the solid phase support resin and then eluting the peptide tagged secretory IgM with a release buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Michael R. Simon
  • Publication number: 20170045795
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, David Walter Groechel, Anshu A. Pradhan, Gordon Jack, Disha Mehtani, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Publication number: 20160357083
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Alexander Rumer, Dennis Mullins
  • Publication number: 20160334689
    Abstract: This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g, channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald M. Parker, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Trevor Frank, Travis D. Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
  • Patent number: 9482922
    Abstract: “Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, David Walter Groechel, Anshu Pradhan, Gordon Jack, Disha Mehtani, Robert T. Rozbicki